Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Livermore California

Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Livermore CA could at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And so that you pick the best one you must research and compare each of the schools you are considering. When looking for vet tech schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Livermore CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Livermore CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered

An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Livermore CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Livermore CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Livermore CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Livermore CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Livermore CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Livermore CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Livermore CA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Livermore CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Livermore CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Livermore

Enroll in the Right Livermore Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Livermore California.

 

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